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Marrakech – Luxury fashion brand Balenciaga has unveiled a new slipper design, drawing inspiration from the famous Moroccan “belgha.”
The luxury brand, however, priced the slipper at a premium level. On its website, Balenciaga put the slipper at around $995.
This has caused controversy, as Moroccan vendors and artisans who spend large amounts of time to produce similar slippers put them for sale in souks for prices ranging between MAD 100 to MAD 500.
Interestingly, Balenciaga has not acknowledged the origin of the slipper or belgha although it is deeply rooted in Moroccan heritage.
This significant markup has prompted discussions about cultural appropriation and the commodification of tradition.
A Moroccan Reddit user recently posted a message highlighting Balenciaga’s sale of Belgha for $995, noting, “Not even saying they were inspired by Morocco.”
The comments section quickly filled up with responses from other users, reflecting a range of reactions and opinions on Balenciaga’s pricing and the cultural context surrounding the product.
In a sarcastic tone, one user commented, “You can walk on water with it I guess.”
Another user labeled the product as “ugly,” while another user joined in, accusing Balenciaga of scamming customers by selling what they deemed as “an ugly Belgha that cost around $20.”
Addressing concerns about cultural appropriation, one user humorously remarked, “They manage to mix drop shipping and cultural appropriation somehow.”
In a contrasting perspective, a user defended the concept, suggesting that high prices were a result of branding rather than the intrinsic value of the product.
They argued that well-known brands like Balenciaga leverage their reputation to command higher prices, comparing it to other renowned companies like Nike, Adidas, and Apple.
“Even if they pick a rock and put it on their website, it’s gonna be expensive because they are selling their brand name more than the product itself, ” says the user.
Such comments imply that high-end fashion brands should approach cultural appropriation with sensitivity and responsibility, acknowledging the origins of their inspiration and ensuring fair representation.
These traditional slippers carry deep cultural significance in Morocco’s heritage. They are not merely fashion statements, but symbols of Moroccan identity and centuries-old tradition.
In Moroccan markets, they are available at significantly lower prices compared to Balenciaga’s offering.
This has brought up conversations about the ethical problems with how leveraging cultural symbols for profit diminishes the authenticity of culture.
This isn’t the first instance of Balenciaga embroiled in a slippers controversy.
In 2018, Moroccan social media was abuzz with surprise when the French luxury brand introduced its expensive twist on the traditional Moroccan slipper, which was priced at MAD 5,118.
Read Also: Social Media Mocks Balenciaga’s MAD 5,118 Moroccan Slippers
